Distinguished Engineer - Android Architect

Information Technology Senior Management Forum; Basking Ridge (NJ); Hybrid; USD 151,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Verizon is seeking a Distinguished Engineer to be the technical cornerstone of its Android ecosystem. You will lead relationships with OEMs and ensure seamless, high-performance integration of Verizon's services, serving as a conduit between external partners and the internal MVS team.

You will prototype new software, mentor engineers, and drive architectural decisions across Android platforms, with a focus on hardware-software integration and AI-assisted workflows.

Qualifications

• Android ecosystem expert with deep understanding of Android OS and OEM collaborations.
• Experience with mobile or embedded systems and direct production support is preferred.
• Strong ability to communicate complex technical architecture to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own Day-to-Day Android Support & OEM Triage across Pixel, Samsung, and Motorola.
• Test, debug, and optimize the MVS client software across Android OS releases.
• Perform rapid prototyping of new device features and client-side software solutions.
• Write, debug, and refine driver and system-level code; leverage AI tools to accelerate work.
• Document architecture and support procedures to create repeatable processes.
• Represent Verizon in technical alliance programs with OS providers (Google/Android, KaiOS, Chrome OS).
• Act as the primary technical conduit between OEMs and the MVS team.
• Mentor engineers on Android platform architecture and OEM collaboration strategies.

Skills

Android ecosystem

C/C++

Java

HTML5

AI tools

System-level debugging

Troubleshooting

OEM collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Android OS

Chrome OS

KaiOS

Job description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

What you’ll be doing...

As a Distinguished Engineer, you will be the technical cornerstone of Verizon’s mobile device ecosystem. Android is the gateway through which millions of customers connect to Verizon’s world-class network every day. In this highly strategic role, you will lead the technical relationships and cultivate deep alliances with all of the Android OEMs and embedded OS providers to ensure seamless, high-performance integration of Verizon's services.

A critical focus of this role is serving as the primary technical conduit between external OEMs and our internal MyVerizon System (MVS) team. This requires an exceptionally deep, hands-on understanding of Android Software, OEM development cycles, and how the MVS platform is built and integrated. You will be responsible for quick prototyping new software to test and validate network functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Day-to-Day Android Support & OEM Triage: Own day-to-day Android support across Pixel, Samsung, and Motorola. Triage production issues, plan fixes, and close the loop with OEMs to ensure fast, efficient resolution.
• Test, Debug, and Optimize MVS: Test, debug, and optimize the MyVerizon Services (MVS) client software across multiple Android OS releases so it remains robust and reliable as a primary telemetry data source.
• Rapid Prototyping: Perform rapid prototyping of new device features and client-side software solutions to validate network architecture or product changes, ensuring early feasibility and smooth deployment.
• System-Level Development & AI Acceleration: Write, debug, and refine driver and system-level code, utilizing modern AI-assisted tools to accelerate coding, debugging, or triage workflows.
• Document Architecture & Mitigate Risk: Detail and document software architecture, implementation steps, and support procedures to establish repeatable processes, share domain knowledge, and ensure the work is not dependent on a single individual.
• Represent Verizon in Technical Alliances: Represent Verizon in technical alliance programs with OS providers (Google/Android, KaiOS, and Chrome OS), focusing heavily on technical issues affecting current devices.
• Conduit to the MVS Team: Act as the primary technical bridge and conduit between external OEM engineering groups and the internal MVS development team, converting complex device capabilities into structured system specifications.
• Technical Mentorship: Mentor and guide other engineers on Android platform architecture, low-level software debugging, and OEM collaboration strategies to uplevel team capabilities.

What we’re looking for...

You’re an accomplished technical leader dedicated to developing solutions that elevate the customer experience for millions of users. A subject matter expert in Android Ecosystem. You excel at applying critical judgment to create innovative methodologies and evaluation standards. You possess the unique ability to navigate complex engineering ecosystems, build professional networks, and convey highly technical architecture to both engineering partners and non-technical stakeholders.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field (MS, MBA, or equivalent experience is preferred).
• Experience with mobile or embedded systems, including direct production support (not just high-level development or planning).
• Demonstrated experience supporting multiple Android OEM variants at once (e.g., Pixel, Samsung, Motorola) across concurrent OS releases.
• Deep, low-level understanding of the Android operating system, framework, and ecosystem.
• Supporting working knowledge of other platforms, including iOS, and KaiOS.:
• Strong proficiency and debugging skills in C, C++, Java, and HTML5, with experience debugging at the driver or system level.
• Hands-on experience using modern AI tools to accelerate coding, debugging, or triage workflows.
• Exceptional troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills, with a proven ability to perform under intense production pressure.
• Extensive experience capturing and analyzing system-level mobile logs (such as logcat, modem logs, and bug reports) to isolate and report device issues.
• Solid project management experience, specifically in coordinating complex vendor/OEM roadmaps from inception through launch.
• Ability to create presentations and present at an executive level - highlighting business and customer impact of technical issues.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills, with a comfortable ability to build deep working relationships, navigate vendor conflicts, and clearly explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.

Where you’ll be working

In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $150,500.00 - $263,000.00.